Method

Nearly 10,000 participants from all income levels around China were involved in the survey which collected data through newspaper and internet questionnaires and face-to-face interviews. After nearly two weeks' survey, 2500 questionnaires were selected as the sample of the final statistics.

Public awareness of climate change

According to the responses given, most of participants are aware of both the causes and consequences of climate change. Approximately 80% of young people indicated concern about climate change and related disasters, particularly that, "climate change will cause rising sea levels and a reduction in land area" and "some coastal cities and islands may disappear". Meanwhile, more than half the participants (55%) were also concerned about "the extinction of the polar bear" because of climate change.

Sustainable consumption in daily life

The statistics show that although most young people notice the negative effects of exhaust fumes on the urban air pollution, they were unlikely to make significant changes to their consumption behaviours. Approximately 2/3 participants indicated they wanted to buy a car, within their financial means.

Moreover, the survey also found that more adults (76%) have a positive attitude to saving energy, electricity and water than under-18s (34%) though the common blind spots in the public's environmental knowledge also occur among young adults, for instance, benefits of energy-saving light bulbs and personal water consumption…

Young people's consumption patterns

According to the statistics, housing (38%), travelling abroad (21%) and owning a car (12%) are the three major consumption temptations for Chinese young people, who share almost the same attitudes as young British consumers. What's more, over-consumption and spending on public accounts (???) are often in the public eye as well. (I don't understand this sentence really)

In terms of consumption habits, most participants（77%）showed a negative attitude towards the cost benefits of energy-saving products on the Chinese market. The young consumers would be not actively choose energy-saving products.

The effects of environmental awareness

TThe statistics shows that most of the public look to the government （58.8%）and establishments (?)（24%） to take responsibility in demonstrating sustainable consumption, which is also similar to comparative British attitudes.

The "conservation-minded society" and ideas of sustainable development advocated by the government were supported by 61% of participants. However, 34% participants also indicated that they do not have the means to carry out suggested action points.

According to the survey, there would be strong resistance if people were asked to sacrifice their current living standards for the sake of sustainable consumption. However, since traditional values that promote simple lifestyles are still strong, the values of energy-conservation and environmental protection have gained strong public acceptance.